Early Work
In the mid-1970s he was a sideman in Barry White's "Love Unlimited Orchestra", before creating Raydio, an R&B group, in 1977, with Vincent Bohnam, Jerry Knight, and Arnell Carmichael. Parker appeared briefly in the 1974 film "Uptown Saturday Night" as a guitar player. Parker also wrote songs and did session work for The Carpenters, Rufus and Chaka Khan,Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Leon Haywood, Temptations, The Spinners, Boz Scaggs, Rhythm Heritage, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Raydio
The group scored their first big hit, with Arista Records, "Jack and Jill" off of their self-titled album in 1978. The song was # 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, earning a Gold record in the process.
Their successful follow-up hit, "You Can't Change That" was released in 1979, off of the Rock On album. The song was a Top 10 hit, making it up to # 9 on the Billboard charts during the same year it was released.
In 1980, the group became known as Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio, and the group released two more albums: Two Places at the Same Time in 1980 and A Woman Needs Love in 1981.
During the eighties Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio had two Top 40 hits ("Two Places at the Same Time" - # 40 in 1980 and "That Old Song" - # 21 in 1981) and their last and biggest hit "A Woman Needs Love," released in 1981, went to # 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, and # 1 on the R&B Charts for two weeks in 1981.
The Solo Years and Ghostbusters
Raydio broke up in 1981, while Ray Parker Jr. continued with his solo career, scoring six Top 40 hits, including the hit single "The Other Woman" (Pop # 4) in 1982 and "Ghostbusters" in 1984.
Parker was one the first black artists to venture into the then-fledgling world of music videos. He actually made two different videos for his hit "The Other Woman". The first was Halloween-themed and centered around a haunted castle with dancing corpses and vampires. The second was more performance-oriented, with Parker performing the song against a outer space background with backup singers. MTV initially refused to air either video because, at the time, no videos for black artists were shown and, in the case of the "haunted castle" video, Parker was depicted as having interracial relationships, which MTV didn't want to promote.
"Ghostbusters" was a title track of the Gold-selling soundtrack of the hit movie Ghostbusters (but the song has now sold upwards of 28 million units internationally according to Parker in 2007)[citation needed], starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. The single was at #1 for three weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and at #1 for two weeks on its Black Singles chart. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1984 but lost to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from The Woman in Red.
He also made an acting appearance on the 1980s sitcom Gimme a Break starring Nell Carter.
Controversy surrounding Ghostbusters
Parker was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Huey Lewis & the News song "I Want a New Drug" for his 1984 #1 hit theme to Ghostbusters, released only six months after Lewis' hit reached #6 in the Billboard Hot 100. This ended with Lewis suing Parker, and the pair settled out of court in 1995.
They returned to court once again in 2001, as Parker sued Lewis for breaching a confidentiality agreement forming part of their original out of court settlement which prohibited either side from speaking about it publicly. Lewis had revealed in a VH1 Behind The Music special that Parker had paid a financial settlement as part of the original agreement.
Continued Songwriting
Ray Parker Jr. also wrote and produced hits for New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man"), Randy Hall, Cheryl Lynn ("Shake It Up Tonight"), Deniece Williams ("I Found Love") and Diana Ross. He also performed guitar on several songs on La Toya Jackson's 1980 debut album.
Raydio Discography
* Raydio (1978) #27 US
* Rock On (1979) #45 US
* Two Places at the Same Time (1980) #33 US
* A Woman Needs Love (1981) #13 US
* Greatest Hits (1982)
Ray Parker Jr. Discography
* The Other Woman (1982) #11 US
* Woman Out of Control (1983) #45 US
* Ghostbusters (Soundtrack) (1984) #6 US
* Chartbusters (1984) #60 US
* Sex and The Single Man (1985) #65 US
* After Dark (1987) #86 US
* I Love You Like You Are (1991)
* I'm Free (2006)
The People Next Door
Ray Parker Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rock on the floor
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Wanna wake up the neighbors
At a quarter of four
I wanna party
I live in
Room 203
I got two cute girls
Living next door to me
One name is Lucy
The other one's Kim
Late at night
You can hear them
So loud
They oughta be ashamed
Making strange noises
Sounds like a choo-choo train
Now I'm not complaining
All I'm really saying
Is I wanna do it too
I wanna bang on the walls
Rock on the floor
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Wanna wake up my neighbors
At a quarter of four
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Let me tell ya 'bout my old lady
When we first met
We used to go head up
Every chance we'd get
Now time has past
And we're slowing down
Sometimes two weeks go by
Before we fool around
You're darn right
I'm envious
Cuz what I'm hearing thru my walls
Sounds like happiness
Keeping me 'wake baby
Driving me crazy
Cuz I wanna do it too
I wanna bang on the walls
Rock on the floor
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Wanna wake up my neighbors
At a quarter of four
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Come on, come on
Come on wake up baby
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Come on, come on now
Wake up baby
Let me party
Like the people next door
(Musical Interlude)
I've tried
But I can't get no sleep
(I know the feeling)
I need a woman (um)
To fulfill my needs
(I know the feeling)
Don't let me go to bed hungry
I'm starving
For something to eat
Don't let me go to bed lonely (no)
Cuz I need some company
To help me bang on the walls
Rock on the floor
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Wanna wake up my neighbors
At a quarter of four
I wanna party
Like the people next door
Come on, come on
Come on now baby
Let me party
Like the people next door
(Ding Dong)
Bang, bang, bang
Hey it's your next door neighbor
Can I come in
I wanna join the party (Please!)
I ain't gon' hurt nobody
I can't sleep
The lyrics to Ray Parker Jr.'s "The People Next Door" tell a story of the singer's desire to join in on the fun and excitement happening in the neighboring room. The song starts by expressing the singer's longing to "bang on the walls" and "rock on the floor" in order to party like the people next door. There is a sense of envy and curiosity present as the singer wants to experience the same level of enjoyment as those living in the adjacent room.
The second verse introduces the two girls who live next door, Lucy and Kim. The singer mentions that they are known for their loud and expressive behavior, often making strange noises that sound like a "choo-choo train." While the singer is not complaining, they express a desire to also participate in the same kind of late-night excitement.
The chorus repeats the desire to "bang on the walls" and "rock on the floor," with the lyrics emphasizing the singer's wish to wake up their own neighbors at "a quarter of four." The repetition of these lines highlights the singer's strong craving to experience the same level of joy and liveliness as the people next door.
In the third verse, the lyrics shift to focus on the singer's personal life. They introduce their old lady, suggesting a long-term partner, and reminisce about the passion and intense conflicts they used to have when they first met. However, as time has passed, the intensity has faded, and they express feelings of envy toward the happiness they hear through the walls from the neighbors. The singer finds this sound of happiness both keeping them awake and driving them crazy because they too want to feel that same excitement.
The final chorus reiterates the singer's longing to "bang on the walls" and "rock on the floor" like the people next door. They beg for someone to wake up and join them in the party, emphasizing their hunger for connection and companionship to fill their emotional and physical needs. The song ends with a playful interjection of someone at the door wanting to join the party, adding a sense of humor to the overall narrative.
Overall, the lyrics of "The People Next Door" delve into themes of longing, envy, and the desire for connection and excitement in one's personal life. The song evokes a feeling of restlessness and the yearning to be a part of something vibrant and joyful.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna bang on the walls
I want to make loud noises by hitting the walls
Rock on the floor
Dance energetically on the floor
I wanna party
I want to have a lively and enjoyable gathering
Like the people next door
Similar to the behavior of my neighbors
Wanna wake up the neighbors
Desire to disturb the sleep of my neighbors
At a quarter of four
At 3:45 AM
I live in
Reside in
Room 203
Apartment number 203
I got two cute girls
I have two attractive girls
Living next door to me
Who are residents in the adjacent apartment
One name is Lucy
One is called Lucy
The other one's Kim
The other one is named Kim
Late at night
During the late hours
You can hear them
Their sounds are audible
So loud
Unusually loud
They oughta be ashamed
They should feel embarrassed or guilty
Making strange noises
Producing unfamiliar sounds
Sounds like a choo-choo train
Resemble the noise of trains
Now I'm not complaining
I am not expressing dissatisfaction
All I'm really saying
I am simply conveying
Is I wanna do it too
That I also desire to engage in similar behavior
Let me tell ya 'bout my old lady
Allow me to talk about my partner
When we first met
During our initial encounter
We used to go head up
We often had confrontations
Every chance we'd get
Whenever an opportunity arose
Now time has past
Nowadays, time has elapsed
And we're slowing down
And our activities have become less intense
Sometimes two weeks go by
Occasionally, a span of two weeks elapses
Before we fool around
Before we engage in intimate activities
You're darn right
You are absolutely correct
I'm envious
I feel jealous
Cuz what I'm hearing thru my walls
Because of the sounds I perceive from my walls
Sounds like happiness
Resembles the sound of joyful contentment
Keeping me 'wake baby
Preventing me from falling asleep, my dear
Driving me crazy
Causing me to feel extremely frustrated or anxious
Cuz I wanna do it too
Because I also desire to engage in similar activities
Come on, come on
Encouraging someone to act or join
Come on wake up baby
Come on, wake up my love
I wanna party
I desire to engage in a lively gathering
Let me tell ya 'bout my old lady
Allow me to talk about my partner
It's your next door neighbor
I am your adjacent resident
Can I come in
May I enter your domain
I wanna join the party
I want to participate in the celebration
I ain't gon' hurt nobody
I won't harm anyone
I can't sleep
I am unable to fall asleep
I've tried
I have attempted
But I can't get no sleep
But I am unable to obtain any sleep
I need a woman
I require a female companion
To fulfill my needs
To satisfy my desires
Don't let me go to bed hungry
Prevent me from going to sleep with an empty stomach
I'm starving
I am extremely hungry
For something to eat
To consume some food
Don't let me go to bed lonely (no)
Do not allow me to feel lonely when going to sleep
Cuz I need some company
Because I require companionship
Come on, come on now
Encouraging someone to act immediately
Let me party
Allow me to celebrate
(Ding Dong)
(Sound of a doorbell)
Bang, bang, bang
Repetitive sound of knocking or pounding
Hey it's your next door neighbor
Hey, it is your adjacent resident
I wanna join the party
I want to participate in the celebration
I ain't gon' hurt nobody
I won't harm anyone
I can't sleep
I am unable to fall asleep
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
scott blackula
Love this song one of Rays underrated jams
Shignila
Hard to find on audio.....
wk801
I found some of Mr. Ray Parker J.r's hits on vinyl. I've been listening to it all week, this song is classic!Ā
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1983 {January 15th} Ray Parker, Jr. performed "The People Next Door" on the late Dick Clark's 'American Bandstand'... It reached #60 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart... R.I.P. Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}...
Robert Thompson
I absolutely love this song.
GEORGE ANDERSON
THIS WAS THE JAM I ALWAYS ROCKED RAY PARKER HE WAS THE MAN BACK THEN AND PEOPLE NEXT DOOR IS ALL SLAPPING BEAT LOVE THE CAT CALLS WEOWWW
arthur workman
I just noticed that most of all of his jams for the most part all share that same "For those who love to groove" rhythm.
Daniel Moore
Remember 1982 83 the slap bass guitars ruled in this area, r&b groove with funk bass lines hit In this area .
Phillip Payne
It worked!
Alford Hamilton
That was his style, that's how you know a group or band. He learned from Larry Gram. He wrote music for numerous people, Chaka khan was one.